January 29, 2019

Yarmouth, NS – One of Canada’s longest-running, most successful commercial fishing shows wrapped up at the Yarmouth Mariners Centre this past weekend. The Eastern Canadian Fisheries Exposition, presented in partnership with the Navigator Magazine, welcomed 4,813 commercial fishing professionals over the course of two days.

“The first day of the show was like nothing we’ve ever seen in this venue,” said Show Manager, Shawn Murphy. “It was a door-busting crowd – we even had to make room for parking across the street. Many companies made sales right on the show floor and others generated leads that will keep business going for months to come.”

Several features of the show kept attendees busy throughout Friday and Saturday. On Friday evening, a special networking reception was held at the Rodd Grand with exhibitors alongside local seafood suppliers and processors. A huge thanks goes out to the support from seafood donors from throughout Southwestern Nova Scotia – the buffet was a hit amongst all and a highlight for the event.

Also on Friday, new inductees were welcomed to the Atlantic Canada Marine Industries Hall of Fame. In attendance were Colin Fraser, Member of Parliament for West Nova, and Zach Churchill, MLA for Yarmouth and Minister of Education and Early Childhood Education. Awards were given in three categories: Mariner, recognizing individuals who work or have worked on the water in any marine industry; Processor, recognizing individuals involved in the business of processing, from line workers to company owners; and Builder, recognizing those who have made contributions without having directly participated. Congratulations to the new Hall of Fame members:

• Brian Adams from Cape George, Antigonish County (Mariner)
• Jean Guy d’Entremont from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (Processor)
• John Hines from Central Argyle, Nova Scotia (Builder)

This year’s edition offered visitors a chance to see innovative products for the fisheries and marine industry and chat with companies from across the Maritimes, Canada, and abroad. Some of the positive feedback from exhibitors:

“This show is the best way for us to connect not only with new customers, but to reconnect with our existing customers & various partners in the local marine industry. Always a great show.”
– Brian Sibley, Mackay Marine Electronics

“Thank you for hosting an excellent Expo in Yarmouth.  It was well organized, orchestrated, and executed.”
– Jonathan Underwood, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

“Best Eastern Canadian Fisheries Expo yet!”
– Lloyd D’Eon, Vernon d’Eon Fishing Supplies Ltd.

“Lots of visitors came in for the 2-day show and everyone that works in the fishing industry had a positive vibe.”
– Gilles Theriault, A.F. Theriault & Son Boat Builders

Special thanks to sponsors of the event: Tri-Nav Group of Companies, the Navigator Magazine, Marindustrial, Twin Disc, Vernon d’Eon Fishing Supplies Ltd., Genrep, Hampidjan, Cummins, Wajax, and Rainbow Net & Rigging. Thank you as well to those who presented seminars at the show: the Fisheries Association of Nova Scotia, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Coldwater Lobster Association, Belliveau Veinotte Inc. Chartered Professional Accountants, Mustad Autoline, A.S Fiskevegn, Beitir EHF, and Oilwind Longline Solutions. The educational sessions were well-received, and covered industry hot topics such as rope-less fishing gear and the Atlantic Fisheries Fund.

The Eastern Canadian Fisheries Exposition is part of an array of marine trade events in Atlantic Canada produced by Master Promotions Ltd. in partnership with The Navigator. Other related events include the North Atlantic Fish & Workboat Show and Fish Canada Workboat Canada, held in Saint John’s, NL and Moncton, NB respectively, which will both return in 2020. For more information on the 2021 Eastern Canadian Fisheries Expo, stay tuned to the website as well as the show’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Media Inquiries:
Shawn Murphy, Show Manager
Master Promotions Ltd.
smurphy@mpltd.ca
1-888-454-7469

Aurora Boudreau, Marketing Coordinator
Master Promotions Ltd.
aboudreau@mpltd.ca
1-888-454-7469